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Watch the January Maritime MAD Security Town Hall Webinar replay 👇

New Coast Guard Cyber Rules: What You Need To Know Now

With the U.S. Coast Guard’s final rule on cybersecurity now in effect, defense contractors, maritime operators, and critical infrastructure partners must move quickly to operationalize compliance. At MAD Security’s January 2026 Town Hall, Cliff Neve VP of Maritime Cybersecurity walked attendees through a practical, 90-day framework for aligning with the new regulation. 

The session, designed for port operators, terminal leaders, and vessel owners, focused on realistic strategies; not theory. With enforcement already underway, organizations need clear direction to avoid audit findings, training violations, or worse operational shutdowns due to lack of preparedness. 

MAD Security continues to lead from the front in helping the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and maritime operators meet evolving cyber mandates. Our January Town Hall was a working session focused on action, ownership, and results. 

 

Key Takeaways From The January Town Hall

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The Coast Guard’s Final Rule Is Active; Action Is Required

The Coast Guard has begun verifying cybersecurity training compliance and asking about cybersecurity plans even before full plan reviews begin. Delaying preparation, risks enforcement actions and operational disruption. 

“Compliance doesn’t fail organizations. Indecision does.” – Cliff Neve 
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You Can Build a Cybersecurity Plan in 90 Days

MAD Security’s recommended 90-day roadmap includes: 

  • Days 0–30: Establish leadership (designate a CISO or equivalent), define scope, segment systems, and initiate business engagement. 

  • Days 31–60: Draft the cybersecurity plan, assign responsibilities, implement technical controls, and begin assessment. 

  • Days 61–90: Test with tabletop exercises, collect evidence, finalize documentation, and train personnel. 

This phased approach emphasizes strategy first, execution second, and testing third—resulting in defensible compliance and operational readiness. 
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The CISO Role Matters Even if It’s Not Yet Mandated

While the Coast Guard doesn’t require an official Cybersecurity Information Security Officer (CISO) until July 2027, Cliff emphasized that no organization could succeed without one now. Whether internal or outsourced, someone must own the strategy, lead the team, and speak confidently to assessors. 
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Inspectors Want a Real Story Not Just a Binder

The Coast Guard won’t review firewall rules or SOC logs. They want to know: 

  • Is your plan real and implemented? 

  • Do your controls align with how you operate? 

  • Can your team articulate how they protect mission-critical operations? 

A clear, defensible story will earn inspector confidence. 
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Avoid Common Pitfalls

Organizations that fail audits tend to: 

  • Use generic, uncustomized templates 

  • Lack named accountability 

  • Treat cybersecurity as “just IT’s job” 

  • Skip tabletop exercises or training verification 

Q&A Highlights from Live Attendees

What should we look for in a CISO?

Strong leadership, operational understanding, and risk management skills. Not necessarily a technical expert, but someone who can build and communicate strategy.

When will the Coast Guard start reviewing plans?

Not yet, but that’s not a reason to delay. Plans should be drafted and ready. The Coast Guard is already asking questions, even if they aren’t formally reviewing them. 

Should we start with a cybersecurity assessment or the plan itself?

Both works. Cliff recommends drafting the plan first, then assessing it. Either way, treat it as an iterative process.

How do we test our plan?

Conduct tabletop exercises with your full team, including leadership, operations, and legal. Start with CISA’s free maritime tabletop resources. 

 

Why Maritime Defense Contractors Choose MAD Security

MAD Security is a CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP with a perfect SPRS score of 110, built specifically to serve the Defense Industrial Base. Here's what sets us apart: 

Ranked Top 250 MSSPs globally for 5 consecutive years

24/7 U.S.-based SOC staffed by cleared citizens in Huntsville, AL 

Experts in NIST 800-171, DFARS 252.204-7012, and Coast Guard compliance

A Cyber-AB Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) 

U.S.-based 24/7 Security Operations Center in Huntsville, Alabama 

Seamless integration with your existing stack (Fortinet, Microsoft, etc.)

Veteran-owned and operated, mission-driven, and results-focused 

 

Why Start Now?

The Coast Guard isn’t waiting. Training deadlines have passed. Inspectors are active. And cybersecurity planning takes time. Organizations that delay risk: 

Failed inspections and findings 

Operational impact or even shutdowns 

Rushed implementations and costly rework 

Loss of trust with partners and regulators 

By acting now, you’ll position your team to: 

Build stronger cyber maturity 

Reduce stress during inspection 

Avoid last-minute vendor scramble

Protect mission-critical operations 

Starting early also gives you time to test your plan through tabletop exercises and revise it based on real feedback. 

 

Free Tools To Help You Get Audit-Ready

MAD Security offers several no-cost resources to help you begin your compliance journey: 

24/7 Cyber Defense Built for Maritime Operations 

Coast Guard Cybersecurity Plan Guidance for Maritime Operators

Free Maritime CMMC Pre-Assessment 

Schedule a Maritime Cybersecurity Consultation 

Let our team help you define scope, assign roles, and draft a defensible cybersecurity plan.

 

Final Thoughts: Build Resilience, Not Just Compliance

MAD Security’s January Town Hall reminded us that compliance is a journey; not a checkbox. With the Coast Guard’s new rule in play, waiting is no longer an option. By establishing leadership, defining scope, and acting early, your organization will not only meet regulatory demands but also strengthen operational resilience. 

You are not alone. MAD Security stands ready to guide you through this transition every step of the way. 

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Original Publish Date: January 29, 2025

By: Maritime MAD Security

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